Chapter 41 – Life Cycle Inventory of Semiconductor Cadmium Selenide Quantum Dots for Environmental Applications

Nanotechnological innovations offer promise to solve many of the challenging global environmental problems facing humanity. One important class of nanostructured materials that have drawn particular attention consists of various semiconductors that have either direct or indirect environmental benefits ranging from advanced purification of air and water to improved devices for cleaner energy production. However, the advantages of such applications must ultimately be balanced against the environmental costs associated with their complete life cycle: manufacture, use, and disposal. Such an analysis also assists in identifying the most material, energy, and toxicity intensive aspects of the application, and provides a basis for improvement. To date, the literature on cleaner manufacturing of nanodevices and end-of-life behavior of semiconductor materials is sparse. This chapter explores the various applications of semiconductor nanodevices for environmental applications, and quantifies the cradle-to-grave life cycle impacts of a specific nanostructure: cadmium selenide quantum dots. Raw material, energy use, and emissions associated with their synthesis are quantified and a particular application, photovoltaic solar panels, is examined.